Every category of Vietnamese entry permit
Vietnam issues permits by purpose of travel. Below is the neutral breakdown used by immigration officers: what each category exists for, how far it extends and how often you may cross the border with it.
Electronic Visa (E-Visa)
The fully online permit issued by the Immigration Department. Fits most short tourist and business trips and avoids embassy visits entirely.
- PurposeTourism · business
- ValidityUp to 90 days
- EntriesSingle or multiple
Tourist permit
Reserved for leisure travel, sightseeing and visiting friends. Obtainable as an e-visa or through a Vietnamese embassy in paper form.
- PurposeLeisure & family visits
- Validity30–90 days
- EntriesSingle or multiple
Business permit
For foreigners working with companies and organisations registered under Vietnamese law — meetings, contracts, conferences and project work.
- PurposeBusiness activity
- ValidityUp to 12 months
- EntriesSingle or multiple
Study permit
Issued to students admitted by Vietnamese universities and accredited educational institutions, including internship placements.
- PurposeStudy & internships
- Validity1 year, renewable
- EntriesMultiple
Transit permit
Only needed if you leave the international transit zone during a layover. Staying airside? No permit is required at all.
- PurposeLayover exit
- ValidityUp to 5 days
- EntriesSingle